England coach Steve McNamara has named an unchanged team for Saturday's Gillette Four Nations match against Wales at Leigh Sports Village.

Continuity was the key for England coach Steve McNamara as he named an unchanged team for his side's opening Gillette Four Nations match against Wales at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday.

Half-back Rangi Chase, centre Jack Reed and loose forward Chris Heighington all keep their places after making encouraging debuts in England's 32-18 win over France in Avignon last Friday.

Chase, who played down his man-of-the-match performance against the French, will get the chance to build on his half-back partnership with Kevin Sinfield while McNamara sticks with just three specialist props.

"We put a lot of thought into it," McNamara told a press conference at England's training base at Loughborough University.

"We've seven very good players waiting in the wings - it's a far cry from 12 months ago when we lost players right, left and centre - but we decided that's the way we're going to go at this moment in time.

"It is an opportunity for that group of players to rectify some of the errors they made against France and bring in some consistency and continuity.

"There were some great signs in our play last week. There was some obvious areas where we need to improve - our game management and our ability to apply pressure and keep pressure on the opposition.

"But we've certainly seen enough both in that game and in practice this week to suggest that the 17 will improve."

Sinfield played the full 80 minutes at Parc des Sports in the halves but McNamara has not ruled out using him at hooker at some point against the Welsh and bringing on Gareth Widdop at stand-off.

James Roby, the only specialist number nine in the 17, also played the entire game in France and may be asked to back it up on Saturday.

"James has got the capability of playing 80 minutes and playing consistently well over that period," McNamara said.

"We have other options if James needs a rest in Kevin, who has been very competent in that position for England in the past."

England looked particularly threatening against France down their left flank, where Hull duo Kirk Yeaman and Tom Briscoe took their potent club partnership onto the international stage, and McNamara is excited about the potential for the new right-sided pairing of Reed and Ryan Hall.

"Jack and Ryan certainly look very comfortable with each other in practice," he said.

"They look like they've been together for a long period of time and both are very good talkers, which helps.

"They'll be looking to improve on certain aspects but I'm pleased with the way the partnership has developed so far."

Wales today drafted in another part-time player in Geraint Davies to replace Gareth Thomas, who was withdrawn from Iestyn Harris' squad after announcing his retirement.

"It's disappointing certainly for Wales and probably the competition to lose somebody of his stature," McNamara said. "He's obviously made a decision that's best for himself and we wish him well."

The Welsh challenge will be spearheaded by Warrington's veteran stand-off Lee Briers, who will captain the side on his 21st appearance, and will be an obvious threat.

"Lee has got all the tricks in the world," added McNamara. "He's had a very good season for Warrington and he'll certainly be a key player for Wales but they have got some others.

"I watched them in Neath (against Ireland) and I thought they were a very competent team with some good options."

The really serious business will start for England when they take on Australia at Wembley a week later but McNamara insists he is not yet looking beyond the Wales game.

"This is a key game for us at the start of the competition," he said. "We need to play well and perform well in this game to give ourselves an opportunity further down the line of getting to the final and winning the final.

"We want to reach some standards we've set for ourselves.

"We feel Wales will be a step up from France. They will be very strong and physical and will show great passion."